Day By Day - Rockies By BMW
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DAY 1 Calgary to Waterton
Arrive in Calgary, meet the cars and head south to Waterton. On arrival, take some time to settle into the hotel room before taking the afternoon to explore the surroundings at your leisure. Overnight accommodations in Waterton.
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DAY 2 Crowsnest Pass to Nelson
Drive the Crowsnest Pass through the sublime southern Rockies, keeping an eye out for large herds of graceful Caribou. Enjoy the special features that the BMW has to offer such as the increased torsional rigidity which greatly improves the overall handling of the car, coupled with dynamic stability control, it will feel as if the cars is on rails. Tonight’s accommodations will be at a charming bed & breakfast in the countryside near Nelson.
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DAY 3 Kootenay Lake
In the morning enjoy a delicious complementary breakfast before taking the ferry across Kootenay Lake. Breathe the fresh Alpine air and stare out at the glacier fresh water while preparing your self for the next stretch of road that waits on the other side. Once the ferry has landed make your way to Quilchena, where the luxurious hotel awaits the weary traveller.
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DAY 4 Quilchena
Today is a day at leisure. There are plenty of activities to enjoy such as golf, swimming, fishing, or, if you haven’t had enough, you can drive the many beautiful little roads that line this region. Later on return to the hotel to enjoy the amenities or relax in the lounge with a beverage swapping stories with your friends.
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DAY 5 Yellowhead Route to Jasper
Drive the Yellowhead route to the world renowned Jasper Park, one of Canada’s first national parks, home of the ultra luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. It is difficult not to become overwhelmed by the rustic elegance and surrounding natural beauty of the hotel, which invites you to take a stroll to admire the lake, spectacular scenery and wildlife that inhabit this natural paradise. Enjoy a leisurely wander in the isolated splendour of the Park before returning to the Lodge for the overnight accommodations.
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DAY 6 Jasper
Today is a day at leisure, and with the extensive selection of activities you will have your hands full trying to take in all that Jasper National Park has to offer. Play a challenging round on the hotel’s 18-hole golf course, or cruise the placid emerald green waters of Maligne lake. Also, take a hike through the vast 6,000+ square kilometer forest to see some of the most beautiful, untouched ecosystems left on earth, or drive down the picturesque roads in a BMW X5, one of the world’s most impressive automobiles. After a full day of activities come back to the lodge for a relaxing evening with a dinner and overnight accommodations.
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DAY 7 Banff
In the morning enjoy a plentiful complementary breakfast before climbing into the driver seat and heading off down the pastoral Icefields Parkway. Take your time stopping en route to gaze at the majestic eagles that glide high above in the vivid blue sky. Allow yourself some time to stand on the Columbia Icefields before continuing on to The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and its world class amenities, including the award winning Willow Stream Spa. After seven years of award winning and successful operation, the Willow Stream Spa received a 2.3 million dollar facelift in the Fall of 2003. This renovation enables the Willow Stream Spa to stay at the forefront of the spa industry, offering first class pampering surrounded by majestic mountain beauty. Check in and let loose with all of your new friends and have a wonderful farewell dinner.
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DAY 8 Calgary
Transfer to the Calgary airport where we will say our goodbyes as our journey comes to an end.
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Natural Wonder
Beautifully situated at about 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) in the Canoe Valley near the terminus of the grand Canoe Glacier, Cariboo Lodge and its mountains take their name from the caribou that roam their hills. When Sir Alexander McKenzie explored the Arctic in the late 1700s he gave the Mi'-Kmaq word halibu (which soon became caribou) to the deer he found in the high latitudes. A decade later, traders descending the western slope of the Canadian Rockies into the Canoe River Valley named these grand mountains for the "northern deer" that enliven their slopes.
Culinary Delight
Western Canada has seen a boom in immigration from Asian countries. This shift in demographics has resulted in the rise of specialty ethnic foods, value-added foods with an Asian appeal and more varied and exotic fresh organic vegetables, fruit and seafood products.
Historic Moment
Since the arrival of the railway in 1883, ranchers and farmers have played a large role in the local western economy. Because summer is quiet for them, early July became the perfect time to hold an event, which would both entertain and create new business ventures for Calgary and the West. Back in 1912, an entrepreneurial cowboy named Guy Weadick decided he wanted to develop a Wild West Cowboy Show similar to ones he had seen produced in the United States. He arranged financing from the "Big 4" (Lane, McLean, Burns and Cross) to the tune of $100,000 and in September 1912, the first Calgary Stampede was held - a roaring success.
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